Foldable file



M. H. LINK May 8, 1956 FOLDABLE FILE Filed Feb. 16, 1953 A9 FI6.4.

United States Patent 2,744,557 FOLDABLE FILE Murray H. Link, Orinda, Calif. Application February 16, 1953, Serial No. 337,115 2 Claims. (Cl. 150-39) This invention relates to a transparent, accordion shaped file.

An object of this invention is to provide a transparent, accordion shaped file for storing elongated articles in such manner that the articles may be readily inspected.

Another object of this invention is to provide a transparent, accordion shaped file for receiving elongated articles for compact storage.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a transparent folded file that may be inexpensively and easily manufactured.

Other and further objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following specification, claims and drawing.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a compact file that may be made of transparent sheet material. This file is provided with a plurality of elongated article receiving compartments or pockets which are formed by folding two sheets of transparent material over and upon each other in such manner as to produce a bellows or accordion shaped device in which the two sheets are cemented together along the folds thereof so as to produce elongated pockets between said sheets in the portions between the folds. This device is also provided with covers of cardboard or a similar material which protect the outer surfaces thereof and also facilitate opening and handling of the file.

Further details of this invention will be set forth in the following specification and the drawing, in which, briefly:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of this invention showing it in its folded position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of this invention showing it partially expanded, said view being partially broken away;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is an end view of an embodiment of this invention that is provided with elastic strips and clips for holding the device in folded position.

Referring to the drawing in detail, reference numerals and 11 designate a pair of sheets of transparent material such as thermosetting plastic, cellophane, wax-impregnated paper, Bakelite impregnated paper, resin impregnated cloth or fabric and the like. These sheets 10 and 11 are folded back and forth upon each other and cemented or glued along the folds 12 so as to form a device of zig-zag configuration. This cementing may be accomplished by applying strips or dots of suitable cements between the sheets along the lines of the folds 12, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, or it may be accomplished by thermally setting the material of the sheets 10 and 11 along the folds 12. Thermal setting may be done by the use of a machine energized by high-frequency electrical currents and such machines are well known in the art. When such machines are to be used for thermally setting the materials, the sheets 10 and 11, or at least one of them, preferably consist of thermosettable plastic material or material impregnated with a thermosettable plastic along the areas of the folds 12 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The areas along which the sheets are cemented extend inward from the creased part of the fold 12 as shown in the drawing and this provides an integral four ply rib construction along each bend or fold.

2,744,557 Patented May 8 1956 The sheets 10 and 11 form pockets 15 therebetween and the elongated edges of these pockets are defined by the folds 12. The ends of these pockets 15 are open so that the articles such as strips of expose photographic film or photographic negatives 16 may be inserted into the pockets 15. These negatives may be readily viewed through the transparentsheet material 10 and 11 when it is desired to inspect them simply by expanding the file and holding the different portions thereof up to a light.

Suitable covers 13 and 14 made of cardboard, vulcanized fiber or the like are provided to the file. by cementing one surface of these covers to the end folds of the sheets 10 and 11, as shown in Fig. 3. This cementing may also be accomplished as described above in connection with the cementing of the folds 12. These covers also function to strengthen the file and hold it fiat when photographic film is inserted therein.

Suitable elastic bands 17 and 18 may be attached to the covers 13 and 14, respectively, for the purpose of holding the folded file in closed position. Suitable snap fasteners 19 and 20 that are carried by the ends of the strips 17 and 18, respectively, are provided to hold the ends of these strips together and these snap fasteners may be readily disengaged to permit opening of the file for access thereto.

While I have described this invention in detail, I do not desire to limit it to the exact embodiment set forth in the specification and drawing, except insofar as the details thereof are defined by the claims.

What I claim is as follows:

1. An expandable file for storing strip material comprising a pair of sheets of transparent material that are folded upon each other in zig-zag fashion to form an accordion shaped expandable 'file having a plurality of elongated and relatively narrow pockets open at both I ends, narrow portions of said sheets along said folds being bonded together to form integral four ply ribs at said folds, said ribs having a width greater than the thickness of said four plys to lend shape retaining strength to said'pockets when said file is extended for the visual inspection of the contents of said file through the transparent walls of said pockets, and a pair of covers cemented to the end folds of said folded sheets, said covers being substantially co-extensive with said end folds and also lending rigidity to the folded device.

2. An expandable file for storing strip material comprising a pair of sheets of transparent thermoplastic material that are folded upon each other in zig-zag fashion to form an accordion shaped expandable file having a plurality of elongated and relatively narrow pockets open at both ends, the narrow portions of said sheets being bonded together along and adjacent to said folds by heating the thermoplastic material along said folds to hold said sheets in the aforesaid folded shape and to form integral four ply ribs to lend shape retaining strength to said pockets when said file is extended for the visual inspection of the contents of said file through the transparent walls of said pockets, and a pair of covers cemented to the end folds of said folded sheets, said covers being substantially coextensive with said end folds and also lending rigidity to the folded device.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 715,162 Schwartz Dec. 2, 1902 2,061,091 Roth Nov. 17, 1936 2,102,858 Schlumbohn Dec. 21, 1937 2,298,421 Salfishberg Oct. 13, 1942 2,493,409 Knee Jan. 3, 1950 2,610,868 Flament Sept. 16, 1952 2,634,777 Berger Apr. 14, 1953 

